HoLEP Procedure
(Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate)
What is the HoLEP Procedure?
The HoLEP procedure is appropriate for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms cause by an enlarged prostate, or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
The procedure removes a portion of the prostate in a minimally invasive manner and has been shown to decrease urinary symptoms more than any other procedure. The procedure is done in Mercy’s operating room and typically requires an overnight hospital stay and catheter for only one day. Patients can expect to stop taking medications for BPH after the procedure.
Patient Benefits
- Decrease in urinary symptoms
- Less frequent need to urinate
- Stronger stream, more complete bladder emptying
- Minimal change in erectile function (does cause retrograde ejaculation)
- Reduces PSA (by 80% to 90%) and the need for repeat biopsies due to a large prostate
- Medications for BPH can be stopped
- Shorter recovery time and less patient discomfort
- Less bleeding compared with traditional Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) procedure
- Limited catheter use compared with TURP procedure
- Larger improvement in symptom scores compared with all other interventions
- Durability: In large studies, less than 2% retreatment rate at 20 years
Meet Matthew Smith, MD, Mercy Urologist
Education: University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, Doctor of Medicine
Residency: University of Michigan Hospitals, Doctor of Medicine, Urology
Certified Diplomate, American Board of Urology
Learn more about Dr. Smith.
Are You a Candidate for HoLEP?
The HoLEP procedure is appropriate for the following patients:
- Any man with urinary symptoms felt to be from an enlarged prostate
- Any size prostate
- Medications have become ineffective in treating BPH
- Done having children (HoLEP will cause permanent retrograde ejaculation)